Measured-service telephone system.



B. n. WILLIS. MEASURED SERVICE TELEPHON E SYSTEM,

APPLICATION FILED AUG-5.1910.

1916. 6 SHEETS-SHEET I.

Patented June 6,

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B. n. WILLIS. MEASURED SERVICE TELEPHONE SYSTEM.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 5| 1910.

Patented June 6, 1916.

6 SHEET$-SHEET 2.

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B. n. WILLIS. MEASURED SERVICE TELEPHONE SYSTEM.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 5.1910.

1,186A62. I PafentedJune'B, 1916.

6 SHEETSSHEET 3.

WNW 355.56 AMT/V70? B. "D. WILLIS. MEASURED SERVICE TELEPHONE SYSTEM.

APPLICATION FILED AUG-5, I9 I0.

Patented June 6, 1916.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

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WTTOR/VEYS B. 0. WILLIS. MEASURED SERVICE TELEPHONE SYSTEM.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 5. 1910.

Patented June 6, 1916.

6 SHEETSSHEET 5.

W/TNESSES B. D. WILLIS.

MEASURED-SERVICE.TELEPHONE SYSTEM.

APPLICATION FILED AUG.5, {910.

Patented June 6, 1916 6 SHEETS-SHEET 6.

mum/70R.-

flTTOR/VEYS,

UNITED j sTATEs PATENT OFFICE.

BERNARD n. WILLIS, or cnrcaeo, runners, ASSIGNOR T0 AUTOMATICEL'ECTRIC. commas, or CHICAGO, rumors, A coanoau rron or ILLINOIS.

. MEASURED-SERVICE TELEPHONE SYSTEM. 7

' Application filed August 5, 1910 Serial N o.'575,749.

To all whom it may concern:

Be-it known that I, BERNARD D. \VILLIS, a citizen of the United States of America, and resident of Chicago, Cook county, Illinois, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Measured-Service Telephone Systems, of which the followingis' able character. In systems which are purely manual-that is to say, in which the connections are all made by operatorsit is old and very common to employ measured service devices of such character that different -rates of toll can be assessed for different calls. A well known and familiar instance of this kindis the pay-station device that has three slots, one for nickels, the second one for dimes and the third for quarters, whereby the user of the telephone pays one rate for a local call and a higher rate for a long distance call. In a purely manual system of this kind the calling subscriber is instructed by the operator as to what the rate will be for the" call, and is told to drop either a nickel or a dime or a quarter, depending uponthe character of the call. a

In an automatic system,-or a semi-automatic system, in which all or at least a portion of the calling connection is established. by the'calling subscriber, the problem of a differential rate for measured service is not so easy, and this isespecially true in a character that it automatically assesses toll cally, as the measured service device at the.

calling substation is controlled. automatically and not by an operator, and 1s of such in accordance with the character of the call, the rate being *difierent for different calls. I accomplish this by combining the calling mechanism and the measured service devices at the substation in such manner that all calls which havethe same first digit have the same ratethat is to say, any numspecification 'of Letters Patent. 1

PatentedJune 6, 1916.

ber which begins withthe digit 1 ma be called for five cents', any number that begins with the digit 2- may be called for ten cents; and a call for any number which beginswith the dlgit 3 may require the deposit of a quarter'in the mechanism. It is not neces sary that all calls which have the same rate begm with the same digit, either at the same or different substations;'but all calls which begin with the same digitmust have the same rate. For. example, all calls beginning with the digit 1 may be made for five cents,

and in addition a deposit offive cents may also be required for all calls beginning with the digits 4, 5, 6, or any other digit which is not reserved for some other rate, and this can be true whether the said calls come from the same or different substations. The mechanism may also be arranged so that numbers beginning with certain digits may be called free-that is, Without requiring the deposit of any coin at all. In this way the control. of the measured service devices is entirely automatic, the toll being assessedin accordance with the' value of the first digit of any called number and, therefore, in accordance with the extent of operation of the calling mechanism for such first digit. As will hereinafter more fully appear, the operation of the calling mechanism for the first digit not only controls the measured service device, but also, and through the medium of said device, controls the telephone instruments, whereby the calling subscriber cannot converse with the called subscriber in any way whatever until after the proper toll has been assessed, either by the deposit of a coin or the actuation of a coin register by the calling subscriber. As herein disclosed, the' measured service mechanism takes theform of three coin controlled devices, one -for each different rate of toll,

whereby the calling subscriber cannot converse with the called subscriber until after the proper coin has been deposited in the said mechanism. It 'is obvious, however, that the calling subscriber may, instead of depositing acoin, simply push a button or perform some other operation which will register the call. In other words, there may be as many call registering devices as there are rate s'of toll'to be assessed at the substations It is evident that these and other variations may be employed without departing from the spirit of my invention.

To these and other useful ends my invention 1 consists in matters hereinafter set forth and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings Figures 1 which serves to rotate-the dial backward."

Fig. 0 is a side elevation of my improved coin-collecting device; and a portion of the calling device which is used in conjunction therewith; Fig. 6 is aback view of the same apparatus, showing the-calling device in normal position. Fig. 7 is a'similar view showing the calling device operated; and also shows the coin-collecting device operated in readiness to receive two coins of difi'erent denomination. Fig. 8 is a side elevation of the coin chutes or troughs shown at a, Fig. 7. Figs. 9 and 10 are detailed views of the mechanism used in looking the ratchet wheel 25 in an operated position. Fig. 11 is a diagrammatic view of the essential features of the master switch D (Fig.1).

I will-first briefly describe the operation of the calling device shown in Figs. 3 and 4. The calling device is of the general type shown in Patent No.909,382, issued to John Erickson, Jan. 12th, 1909, but is specially modified to operate in a system in which the switches at'the central ofiice are operated by impulses delivered over the two sides of the; line in series, instead of being sent from ground over each side of the line separately. The switch hook spring assembly, releasing assembly and impulse devices are modified accordingly. Secured rigidly to the rear of the calling device by means of pins 20, 21 and 22 is the plate 19 shown in Figs. 6 and 7. Themain shaft 13 extends through said plate 19 and is rotatably mounted. A detailed description of above apparatus will hereinafter follow. Assuming, for example, that the subscriber desires to call the digit 5, he first removes the receiver from the hook 2. The hook then rises, being forced up by spring 3. As the switch hook rises the .cam arm 4, which is securely fastened thereto, also rises and permits spring 5 to disengage spring 6 and engage spring 7,

the function of which will be hereinafter more fully explained.- The camnarm 8 is also secured to the switch hook-2 and in rising strikes the locking dog 9, forcing it from her 5 in the dial, shown dotted at 12. This dial, which is secured to the shaft 13, is

then rotated. in a clockwise direction until thefinger strikes a finger stop (not shown). The impulse wheel 14, which carries on its peripherly' the so-called impulse teeth 15, is also secured to the shaft 13. Therefore, as

the dial is rotated for the digit 5, the impuls'e wheel rotates in the same direction un-- til five ofthe teeth 15 are carried past the cam 23 on the impulse spring 24. The dial,

'upon being released -by the subscriber, is

forced back, due to the tension of the spring 16. As it rotates backward the teeth 1 strike the cam 23 on the spring 24, and forces springs 24 and 132 out of engagement, thereby opening the line to the central oflice five times.

The plates 17, 18 and 19 (Figs: 3, 4 and 6), which are securely held in a parallel position by the pins 20, 21 and 22, form a frame upon which the shaft 13 is rotatably mounted, and to which the various other parts of the apparatus are secured.

The coin slots shown in Fig. 8, and at a in Fig. 7, are securely fastened to the side of the box which incases the calling device and the coin-collecting device.

Referring now especially to Figs. 5 and 6. it will be seen that just back of the plate 19, and loosely mounted on the shaft 13, there is a disk 25 which has on its periphery notches X corresponding in number and position to the impulse teeth on wheel 14.- Between this disk and the plate 19 there is securely fastened to the shaft 13 'an arm 27, on the left outer end of which there is carried a pawl 28, held normally in engage,

ment with the notch 30 in the disk 25. The

"locking dog 29, which is also secured to the extreme outer end of arm 27 is normally held away from the pawl 28 by the pin 31. This pin, being loosely mounted in the disk 25, is pressed down by the spring 32 as soon as the disk 25 is rotated far enough tocarry pin 31 off the lug 33. Thus it will be seen that as soon as the dial is rotated forward the plate 25 is also rotated forward-and the dog 29 is forced against the cam or ratchet- 4 28 by the spring 34. The notch in the locking dog 29.will not engage the notch in the dog 28, however, until the dial starts to ro tate backward. The arm 240 is also securely fastened to the shaft 13. The object of this arm is to press on the spring 241 which is securely fastened to the pawl 242 (Figs. 9 and 10) when the dial is in normal position. The pawls 150 and 242 both operate to hold the notched wheel 25 in an operated position. The operation of these pawls isas follows: The pawl or ratchet 150is operated only by the receiver hook, while the pawl 242 has a spring projecting in the path of the arm 240. The pawl 15.0 also has a pin 243 which projects over the pawl 242, thus making it Ill impossible for the pawl 242 to operate without operating the pawl 150. The end of the pawl 150 is made so as toclosely fit the notches in the ratchet wheel whereby it can 49 and be deflected into the inclined chute K and thereby returned to the subscriber. pawl 242 is so made that it does not closely fit the notches in wheel 25, whereby it may be made to operate by the'pressure of the only be disengaged by the receiver hook and not by thepressure on pawl 242, while the arm 240 against spring 241 when the dial is in 'normal position. Should the pawl 150 be disengaged from the notch in wheel 25, as

shown in Fig. 10, then the pressure on the pawl 242 when the dial returns to normal position will operate both ratchets 150' and 242 to force them out of the path of the wheel 25. Tothe notched wheel 25 there is secured bymeans of the screws 35, 36 and 37 a semicylindrical plate 38, on the outer surface of which-are placed the lugs or screws 39. Securely fastened to the side of the coin chutes and extending outward therefrom are the arms 40. To the outer ends of these arms there are pivoted the arms 41, 42 and 43. The upper portion of these arms are bent back toward the coin chutes and have on their upper ends the lugs 44, 45 and 46,. which normally extend through the openings 47, 48 and 49 into the chutes 50, 51 and 52, respectively. The lower portion of each of the arms 41, 42 and 43 is provided with a projection (53, 54 and 55, Figs. 5 and-7) which, when the apparatus is in normal position, rests against the surface of plate 38. The extreme lower ends of the arms 41, 42 and 43 are provided with bushings 56, 57 and 58' preferably composed of insulating material. The projections 53, 54 and 55 are, when the dial is turned, engaged by the lugs 39 on the plate 38, whereby the arms are rotated about the point 59. The lower end of each arm serves to close two electrical circuits, while the upper ends withdraw the lugs from their respective openings in the chutes. For example, when the projection 53 on arm 41 is -en gaged by one of the lugs 39, the said arm is rotated so as to withdraw the lug 44 from the coin chute and the lower endof said arm forces springs 53'and 52 into contact with springs 54 and 55, respectively, as shown in Fig. 7. The springs 54 and are under tension, tending to move them away from springs 53 and 52, but is prevented from doing so by the bushing 63 which engages an arm of the member 60. The member ()0 is provided with another arm (30 which extends across thelower opening of the coin chute. If, now, a coin be dropped down the chute 50 it will proceed down the vertical portion thereof and, striking the arm 60", force the arm (30 outof ofengagement with the springs 53 and 52.

' If a coin be accidentally dropped into a:

chute, the corresponding arm 41, 42 or 43 of I which is not opera-ted (the chute 52, Fig. 8, forinstance), the coin will strike the lu The lugs 39 are, placed in positions on the surface of the plate 38, depending upon which of the arms 41, 42 and 43.is to be depressed when a predetermined digit is called. If it be desired that a number of difierent charges be levied I find it advisable to so arrange the lugs'on the surface of .the plate that when a number beginning with a certain digit is called, the coin chutes will be opened to receive the coins which will total the sum charged for all numbers beginning with this digit. it will be assumed that a certain charge is levied or assessed for all numbers beginning with the digit 3, and if, in order to collect this charge, it is necessary to open the slots 50 and 51, it is evident that a lug will be placed on the surface of the plate 38 opposite the notch in the wheel 25 which corresponds to the digit 3, and also in the path of the For example, 7

forward for thesfirst digit, the disk 25 is also rotated forward by reason of the pawl 28 engaging the notch 30. As soon as the disk 25 leaves its normal position the pin 31 disengages the lug 33, allowing said pin to be forced out of engagement with arm 29 by spring 32. The arm 29 is then forced agamstthe end of the pawl 28. WVhen the dial begins to rotate back toward normalposition, the pawl 28 is carried back out of the notch 30 and raised up so that the notch on the end of the said pawl engages the notch on the arm 29, thereby locking the pawl 28 in its raised position to prevent it from engaging any of the notches of the disk 25 during subsequent operations of the calling device. The disk 25 is maintained in the position to which it was rotated by the operation of the dial for the first digit by the engagement of the pawl 150 ivith one ofthe notches X. If the first digit is 1,

the pawl engages the first of these notches; if the first digit is 2 the pawl engages the second notch, etc. As shown in Fig. 7, the first digit called was 3, whereby the pawl 150- is in engagement with the third notch X of the disk 25. As shown in Fig. 7,

there are placed two lugs 39 on the plate 38 to that digit.

, called subscriber.

in such a position that whenthe disk has been advanced three notches these two lugs will operate the arms 41 and 42, but there is no lug to operate the arm "43, With "this arrangement, whenever any number be ginning with the digit 3 is called, coins must be deposited in the slots 50 and 5 1,-t0 which belong the arms 41 and 42,,before communication can be carried on with the A coin dropped in slot 52 will be returned to the calling subscriber. All numbers beginning with the same digit require the deposit of coins of the same denomination, the coins which must be deposited depending upon which of the arms 41, 42 or 43 is operated by the lugs 39 when the disk 25 is in the position corresponding If none of the arms are operated no coins need be dropped. When the receiver is restored tothe switch hook the projection 229 disengages the pawl 150 from the notch of the disk 25, allowing said a disk to be returned to normal position by are operated,

the spring 26, provided the dial is in normal position. If the receiver is hung up while the-dial is out of normal position, however, the disk 25 will be held in its operated posi-- tion by the pawl 242 until the dialreturns to normal position and pawl 242 is forced out by the arm 240. When the pawl 150 is forced down by the switch hook it, also forces the springs 54 and 55, and the corresponding springs of the other groups that back to normal position. The disk 25 is stopped in normal position by the engagement of the end ofpin 31 wlth the upturned end of the lug 33. Also, the pin 31 is forced outward and strikes the arm 29,- raising it sufliciently to unlock the pawl 28.

The line switch C shown in Fig. 1 is of the general type disclosed in British Patent #26301 of 1906, and in the American Telephone Journal of New York of June 6,1908, being of a somewhat modified construction. It comprises a magnet. 64 which controls the usual plunger arm 65 and arm'atures 66 and 67. The magnet 64 consists of four windings, namely: The pull-in winding 68, cutoff winding 69, line winding 70 and auxiliary winding 71. The magnetic circuit of" the windings 70 and 71 is separate from that of windings 68 and 69, due to the peculiar shape of the core. The winding 68 is of suiiicientstrength when energized to operate both the plunger arm 65 and the armature 66. The winding 69,-however, will only operate the armature 66, but will hold the plunger arm 65 in an attracted position after it has once been operated by the winding 68. The plunger arm, upon being attracted, forces the plunger 65 (Fig. 11') into a bank of springs 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78 and 79, which springs, with other sets of similar springs, form terminals of trunk lines leading to first selectors similar to first selector nism D usually, called a master switch.

This master switch comprises essentially the ratchet wheel 80, motor magnet 81, locking plate 82 and relays 83 and 84. The motor -magnet serves to rotate the ratchet wheel 80.

This rotary motion of the ratchet wheel is, by suitable means shown in Fig. 11, transmitted to the plunger shaft 86, giving. said shaft an oscillatory motion, thereby moving the plungers which are in engagement therewith back and forth in front of the terminals of the trunk lines leading to the selectors E. The locking plate 82, which has holes near the outer edge, as shown in Fig. 11, 1s securely fastened tothe plunger shaft rod 86 Therefore, when the pin 87 on the armature 88 engages one of these openings,

the shaft is locked againstrotation. The master switch also comprises a bank consistmg of the individual segments C and the common segment 89. The wiper 90 is securely fastened to the plunger shaft 86, and as it passes over the bank it serves to keep one of the individual segments in electrical connection with the common segment 89.

At Ethere is shown a first selector which 1s, as before stated, accessible to the line switches of the group of which the switch 0 .is a member. This switch E is of the genoral-type described in United States Letters Patent No.. 815,321, granted March 13, 1906, to Keith, Erickson and Erickson, being slightly modified, however, to operate in a two-wire system. By two-wire system is meant a system in which there is no ground connection at the substation, the apparatus being operated over the two sides of the line in series. The first selector E comprises the usual shaft carrying the wipers 91 92 and 93, which have a vertical motion-controlled by the vertical magnet 94 and a rotary motion controlled by the rotary magnet 95. The private .magnet 96 controls the sideswitch carrying the wipers 97, 98, 99 and 100 in the. usual and well known manner.

.,The relays shown at 101, 102 and 103 are slow acting. The release of the switch mechanism is brought about through the medium of the release magnet 104. The op eration of the switch is controlled by the subscriber through the medium of the don-- ble-wound line relay 105. The selector F is similar to selector E.. The connector H relay 121, double-wound relay 122 and re-' lease magnet 123. r

The substation A and line switch C are similar to substation A and line switch 0.

At B a battery is shown with its positive terminal preferably grounded at G.

At M a busy signaling machine is shown, and at "R a ringing current generator is shown.

To give a better understanding of my improved coin-collecting device and the system in which it is used, I will explain in detail the operations that occur when one party, subscriber at substation A for instance, calls another party, subscriber at substation A, for example, whose number we will assume to be 3330.

Upon the removal of the receiver at substation A the spring 5 disengages spring 6 and engages spring 7, as before stated. The disengagement of springs 5 and 6 breaks the circuit of-the bells, while the engagement of springs 5 and 7 closes a circuit through the line winding 70 of the line switch 0. This circuit extends from ground throughsprings 124 and 125, line conductor 130, springs 5 and 7 of substation A, impulse" sprlngs 132 and 24,; primary of induction coil 133, transmitter 134, line conductor-.131, springs 126 and 127, line winding 70 to battery lead 135, thence through battery B to ground G. The line winding 70, upon energizing, closes a circuit through the pull-in winding 68 extending from ground Gr through springs 124 and 129, winding 68, auxiliary winding 71, contact 144 and armatime 88 to battery lead 135,-thence through battery B to ground G. p

The current through the pull-in winding operates the plunger arm and the armature 66. The plunger arm 65, upon being attracted, forces the plunger which is attached to the end thereof into-the bank of trunk terminals to which it has access, forcingsprings 72, 73, 74 and 75 into engagement with springs 76, 77, 78 and 79, respectively. The engagement of springs 72 and 7 5with springs 76 and 79, respectively, closes a circuit through the relay 1050f the selector E. This circuit extends from ground G' through lower winding of relay 105, side switch wiper 97, springs 79 and 75, thence to and through the substation A,

as before traced, back over line conductor 131, springs 72 and 76, side switch wiper 98 and upper winding of relay 105 to battery. lead 135. The relay 105, upon energizing, shifts the spring'136 out of engagement with the spring 137 and into engagement with the spring 138. The engagement of the springs 136 and 138 closes an energizing circuit through the slow relay 101.

This circuit extends from ground G through party from calling the substation A when said substation is calling. Another branch extends from the point 141 through the winding 69 of the line switch C to the battery lead 135. This circuit through the winding 69 is closed before the armature 67 falls back after the circuit through the line winding 70 is broken by the attraction of the armature 66. The armature 67 does not fall back immediately upon the pulling up of the armature 66, due to the fact that simultaneous with the attraction of the armature 66 is the pulling up of the plunger arm 65, which short-circuits the auxiliary winding 71 by forcing the spring 141 into engagement with the spring 142 This short-circuiting of the winding 71 tends to retard the demagnetization of the core, and thus the armature 67 is held in an operated position until enough time has elapsed for the circuit through the winding 69 to be closed, whereby the plunger arm 65 is held in an operated position.

The engagement of the springs 74 and 78 upon the forcing of the plunger into the bank closes an energizing circuit through the relay 83 of'the master switch D, assuming, in this case, that the master switch D is holding-the idle line switches opposite. the first trunk, which trunk leads to the selector E. This circuit extends from ground G through the springs 74 and 78,

individual contact 143 of the master switch ment of the armature 88 and contact 144. I

This prevents any of the line switches from being operated while the master switch D is operating. The engagement of the springs 145 and 146 supplies a busy signal to these idle lines, whereby any party at tempting to call. while the master switch is operating will receive the busy signal. The attraction of the armature 88 also lifts the pin 87 out of engagement with the locking plate 82 and closes a circuit through the motor magnet 81. This circuit extends from ground G9 through the motor magnet 81, interrupter springs 147, contact 148 and armature 88 to battery. The motor magnet 81 energizes upon the closure of this circuit and attracts its armature 149., .The attraction of the armature 149 breaks the circuit of the motor magnet at springs I47 and rotates the ratchet Wheel one step. This rotationof the ratchet wheel causes the-opennet denergizes upon the breaking of its' own circuit, but is immediately energized again; thus it acts in the manner of a buzzer to move the plungers to the next trunk,

at which time the pin 87 again engages an opening in the plate 82, looking itagainst further movement. Should the next trunk be busy, the wiper 90 will find the next trunk grounded and the circuit through the relay 83 will again be closed, thereby causing the master switch to be operated in the manner described above to move the plungers to the next trunk, and so on until the plungers are moved to a of an idletrunk.

The foregoing is an explanation of the operation of the central ofiice mechanism immediately upon the removal of the reposition in front ceiver at the substation A.

For convenience of explanation it will be assumed that the coin slots 50, 51 and 52 are designed to receive five, ten and twentyfive cent coins, respectively. It will also be assumed that a charge of ,fifteen cents is required for all numbers beginning with the digit 3. In other words, a five and a ten cent piece must bedeposited in the .chutesh efore a calling subscriber can con-.

verse with any called subscriber whose num ber begins with the digit 3. Since it has been assumed that the number of substation A is 3330, it will require the deposit of a five and a ten cent piece at substation A before conversation can be carried on. The

- subscriber at substation A now operates his dial for the first digit 3 of the required number. The operations at the substation (not shown), at which time three of .the

impulse teeth will have passedthe cam 23 on the spring 24. The forward rotation of the teeth does not separate the impulse springs 24 and 132, however. They are only separated upon the backward rotation of the impulse wheel. The forward rotation of the dial for the digit 3 also rotates the'wheel 25 forward until three notches in its periphery have passed the pawl 150.

' The pawl 150 now engages the third notch in the wheel -25 and is held in the notch by the coil spring 151. As has been previously described,,in this position, when the digit 3 is called, the two arms 41 and 42' are acted upon bythe lugs .39. When thearm 41 is depressed the springs 52 and 53? '(Fig. "-1) are forced into engage mentwith the springs 55 and 54*", respectively. The operation of the arm 42 forces the springs 53 and .52" into engagement withthesprings 54 and 55E, respectively. The engagement of these: springs short-circuits the. transmitter and shunts the receiver. This short-circuit remains until the coins are dropped, as will be explained later. The shunt across the receiver does not prevent thes calling subscriber from hearing when the called party answers, but due to the ShOFt7C1I'CUIlt on the transmitter, the called subscriber is unable to hear the calling subscriber. The object in shunting the receiver is to preventthe calling party from talking to the called party through the me dium of the receiver.

The foregoing operations in the substation have occurred as the dial was rotated forward for the digit 3. The finger is now removed from the dial and it is allowed to return to normal position, due to the tension of the coil spring 16 (Fig. 4). The backward rotation of the impulse wheel 14, when the dial is released, causes the springs 24 and 132 to be momentarily separated" 'three times. The separation of these springs breaks the circuit of the double-wound re-' lay 105 of the selector E three times. The.

relay 105, upon thus being momentarily deenergized, closesa circuit through the vertical magnet 94 three times. This circuit extendsfrom ground G through springs 136 and 137, 158 and 159, slow relay 102, vertical magnet 94 and side switch wiper 100 to battery lead 135, thence through battery B to ground G. The relay 102 energizes upon the first impulse, but being slow acting does not deenergize until after. the last impulse has been delivered. The vertical magnet energizes three times and operates to raise the vertical shaft and shaft wipers three steps to a position opposite the 96. This circuit extends from ground G? through springs 161 and 162 and private magnet 96 to battery. The relay 102 deenergizes a moment after its circuit has been broken for the last time, thereby breaking the circuit of the private magnet 96. The

denergization of the private magnet 96.

allows the side switch wipers to pass to second position. The circuit of relay 101 was momentarily broken upon the denergizing of the double-wound line relay '105 but, as it is slow acting, it did not deenergize during this momentary interruption of its cir:

cuit. The side switch wiper 100, in passing from the first to the second'position, shifts the battery connection from the vertical to the rotary magnet 95. A circuit is now closed from ground G throughthe interrupter springs 163, rotary-magnet 95, slow relay 103, side switch wiper 100 to battery lead 135. The rotary magnet energizes over this circuit to rotate the shaft and shaft wipers one step, press down the private magnet armature and break its own circuit at the springs 163. If the first trunk leading to a selector F is idle, the rotary magnet, upon denergizing after breaking its own circuit, will allow the private armature to rise, which in turn permits the side switch to pass to the third position, at which time the line is completed to the second selector F by .the wipers 97 and 98. If, however, the first trunk to a selector F is busy, the first bank contact upon which the private wiper 92 passes will be grounded in a manner hereinafter more fully explained. A circuit 1s then closed extending from this grounded contact through private wiper 92, conductor 164, wiper 99 (in second position) and private magnet 96 to battery. The private magnet energizes, locking the side switch in second position. With the side switch thus locked in the second position the rotarymagnet, upon denergizing, allows its circuit to be closed, whereby it is again energized and rotates the shaft wipers to' the second contact. busy, theoperation will be repeated and the shaft wipers rotated to the third trunk, and so on until the wipers strike an idle trunk, at which time the side switch wipers will be allowed to pass to third position, as before described.

The relay 165 energizes in the same manner as did the relay 105 of the selector E to close the circuit of the relay 166. The energization of the relay 166 puts a guarding ground back onto the private bank contacts of the trunks leading to the selector F in the banks of all the selectors that have access tends from ground Gr throughthe side.

If the second contact is.

switch wiper 167 and springs 168 and 169 to the said private bank contacts. A short period of time elapses after the side switch wipers of the selector E pass to third position, and before the guarding potential is I placed on the private bank contacts, as describedabove. During this time the relay 103, which is in the rotary magnet circuit, supplies ground to the said private bank contacts. It is energized upon the first impulse through the rotary magnets, but, being slow acting, does not denergize for a moment after the side switch wipers pass to third position, whereby a guarding potential is supplied to the private bank contacts over a. circuit extending from ground G through the springs 170 and 171, wiper 99, conductor 164 to the private wiper 92, thence on to the contacts before mentioned. After the relay 103 deenergizes, it being quicker in its action than the relay 101, it closes a holding circuit for the relay 101 extending from groundG of the selector F, over the circuit before traced to the wiper 99 of the selector E, thence through. the springs 171 and 172, conductor 173 and relay 101 to battery. The subscriber at substation A now operates the calling device for the second digit 3.

The backward rotation of the dial for the second digit 3 opens the line at the calling device three times. This opening of the line breaks the circuit of the double-wound relay 165 of the selector F three times which, like the selector E, denergizes to close the circuit of the vertical magnet 174, which in turn energizes to raise the shaft and shaft wipers 175, 176 and 177 three steps opposite the'third level of bank contacts which are terminals of trunk lines leading to the connector H. A moment after the-last impulse has been delivered to the relay 178, in series with the vertical magnet, the relay 178 deenergizes and allows the private magnet 179 to deenergize, which permits the side switch wipers to pass to second position. lVhen the side switch wipers are in. the second position the operation of the selector is the same as was that of the selector E to rotate the shaft wipers on to an idle trunk line leading to the connector H.

The subscriber at substation A now operates the calling device for the third digit 3. The circuit of the double-wound relay 111, which was closed as soon as the trunk lines were completed from the substation A to the connector by the wipers 180 and 181 of selector F passing tothe third position, is broken three times. this relay completes the circuit of the vertical magnet 109 in series with the slow relay 117 as in the selectors, whereby the shaft carrying the wipers 106, 107 and 108 is raised three steps to a point opposite the third level of bank contacts. As in the se- The deenergization of lectors, the private magnet 119 is allowed to de'e'nergize upon the denergization of the relay 117, which denergized a moment after the last impulse was sent through it, whereby the side switch is permitted to pass to the second position. When the wiper'll5 passes to second position battery is shifted from the vertical to the rotary magnet 110. The subscriber at substation A now operates the calling device for the last digit-0. The line relay 111 deenergizes ten times to close a circuit through the rotary magnet 110 in series with the relay 117. This circuit ex- I "tends from ground G through the springs 182 and 183 springs 184 and 185,,springs 186 and 187 ,magnet 110, wiper 115 and relay 117 to battery. The rotary magnet energizes ten times to rotate the .shaft and shaft wipers onto the line of the called subscriber. If the called line is idle the private magnet permits the side switch to pass to third position upon the denergization of the slow relay 117. The wiper 116 (in first position) puts a holding ground back' over 25' the release trunk 188 for the relays 166 and 101., This circuit extends from ground Gr through the wiper 116,.springs 189 and 190,

conductor 188, private wiper 17 6, sideswitch Wiper 191, springs 192 and 193 to point 194, thence a part of thecur'rnt passes through the relay 166 to battery and a part continues on thr ough the wiper 167, thence over a circuit before traced through the relay 101- of the selector E to battery. Thisground also puts a guarding potential on the bank contacts of the connector H in the banks of all the selectors that have access to the said connector. The side switch wiper'116, in passing to third position, shifts this holding and guarding ground from ground Gr to ground G. The wiper 115., in passing to the third position, shifts battery from the rotary magnet'110 to the ringer Irelay 120. The wiper 114, in passing to the third position,

puts aground onto the private bank contacts of. the called line and also closes an energizingjcircuitthrough the cut-off yvindin'g 244 of the line switch C. The circuit through the winding 244 extends from ground Gr through the wiper 114, springs 195 and 196 to the private wiper 107, thence to and through the winding 244' to battery. This ground potential also goes to all of the private bank contacts of the called line in the,

banks of all the connectors that have access to the called line. This prevents any other party from getting connection with the substation A after the latter has been called. The winding 244, upon being energized, attracts its armature 197. The armature 197, upon pulling up, closes the line to the called substation and also disconnects the lines of the substation A from the line winding 198 of the line switch C. It will be remembered that the shifting of the wiper 115 closed the respective slots.

circuit of the ringer relay 120. This circuit extends from ground Cr through the interrupter 212, springs 213 and 214, relay 120,

wiper 115 and relay 117 to battery. The ringer relay is intermittentlyenergized over this circuit to disconnect the calling from the called subscriber, and to connect the ringing \current generator R with the line of the called subscriber A. Ringing current then flows from one side of the generator B through the springs 200 and'201, wiper 113, shaft wiper 106, springs 204 and 2.05, conductor 210, balls 206, condenser 207, springs 208 and 209, line 211, shaft wiper 108, side switch wiper 112 and springs 203 and'202 to the other side of the generator.

The subscriber at substation A removes the receiver from the hook in response to this signal and receives talking battery current over a circuit extending from ground G through the side switch wiper 114, lower winding ofv the relay 122, springs-217 and 203, wipers 112 and. 108, thence over the line 211 tothe substation A, through the springs 209 and 213, impulse springs 214*, primary ter 216, back over the'line 210, springs 205 and 204, wipers 106 and 113, springs 201 and 201 and upper winding of the relay 122 to battery. The relay 122 is energized over this circuit and opens the circuit of the ringer relay 120. As hereinbefore stated, it

was assumed that the charges to converse- .winding 215 of the induction coil, transmitwith subscribers'whose numbers begin with the digit 3 was fifteen cents. The subscriber at substation A, upon hearing the answer of the subscriber at substation A, proceeds to place the five and. ten cent pieces in their It is assumed that chute 50 is for the five cent piece, then when the coin is dropped in the chute it will strike the latch or cam 60, and by knocking it out of engagement with the bushing 63 it allows the springs of group a (Fig. 1) to disengage; likewise, when the 'ten cent piece is dropped into the chute 51 it strikes the cam 61 and thereby permits the springs of the group b to disengage, whereby the shortcircuits are removed from both the receiver and transmitter and the subscribers may carry on an uninterrupted conversation.

.The release of the switches at the central .ofiice in initiated by the hanging up of close the circuits of their respective release magnets. The circuit through the connector release magnet extends from ground Gr through'springs 182 and 183, springs 184 and 218, release magnet 123 and off-normal springs 219 and'220 (which springs were permitted to engage as soon as the shaft was raised one or more steps), thence to battery. The. magnet 123 energizes to immediately release the switch. The circuit through the release magnet 221 of selector Fextends from groundGr throu h springs 224 and 225, springs 226 and 22 magnet 221 and off-normal springs 222 and 223 to battery. The switch releases upon the closure of this circuit, and'as in the first selector and connector the circuit of the release magnet is again broken when the shaft reaches its lowest position by the arm 228,

disengaging spring 223 from spring '222. The circuit through the magnet 104 is similar to the circuit just t: iced. The denergi zation of the relay 101 breaks the holding circuit of the winding 69 of the line switch C, thereby allowing the plunger arm to return to normal position. Thus the switches are all restored to normal position and are in readiness for another call. The wheel 25 at the calling substation is also released by the lug on the receiver hook 2.

striking the lower end of the cam or ratchet 150, thereby disengaging it from the ratchet wheel 25. Of course, the ratchet 242 is also immediately forced away by the tension of the spring 241, as has been described. If the called line had been busy when called by substation A, the wiper 107 would have found the private bank contact 245 grounded in the manner hereinabove explained, and a circuit would have been completed extending from this ground on the private bank contact through wiper 107, springs 196 and 195 of relay 121, lower winding of relay 122, ringer springs 217 and 203,

side switch wiper 112 (in second position), springs 229 and 230 of the relay 117 and the private magnet 119 to battery. The spring 230 engages the spring 229 before breaking.

from the spring 231, when the relay 117 deenergizes, whereby if the called line is busy there is no break in the circuit of the private magnet as the relay 117 deenergizes after the last impulse has been delivered. The simultaneous energization of the private magnet and the relay 122 closes a ,circuit extending from ground G through the springs 231 and 232, springs 233 and 234,

relay 121 and springs 236 and 235 to battery. The relay 121 energizes and shifts the holding circuit of the private magnet and relay 122 from ground at the private bank contact to ground G and also opens the rotary magnet circuit and puts a busy signal onto the line of the calling subscriber. This busy circuit extends from battery through the primary of the induction coil 237, springs 238 and 239, wiper 113 (in sec- 0nd position), thence over the heavy conductor to and through the substation A, back over the heavy conductor, through the lower Winding of the relay 111 to ground. The subscriber at substation A, upon hearing the busy signal, hangs up the receiver, thereby restoring the switches to normal position, as hereinbefore described. Of course, should the line be busy there is nonecessity for placing the different coins in their respective chutes. l

' From the foregoing it will be seen that toll is invariably assessed in accordance with the extent of operation of the calling'mechanism for the first digit of the called number. One extent of rotation of the calling tor what the rate of charge is for any particular call. The subscriber simply makes the call and, having done so, there is then only one or several in combination of the measured service devices'whichhe can use, and if he uses any other device the coin is returned and it is thus made evident that the wrong slot has been used, or the wrong coin deposited in the mechanism. The calling subscriber discovers for himself which rate of toll is necessary for any particular call, and the manner in which the mechanism and the measured service devices are combined precludes the payment of any other rate of toll for that call.

It will be seen that my invention relates to that type of system in which the two sides of the calling line are controlled in series to operate and release the automatic switches at the central station. In this way a ground isnot necessary at the substation for either calling or releasing. Fur

receiver is shunted to the extent that itis still operative for hearing the reply of .a called subscriber, but cannot then be used by the calling subscriber as a talking instrument. v

WVhat I claim as my invention is: 1. In a telephone system, a calling mechanism, means responsive to said mechanism to extend the call, and devices associated -With said mechanism, controlled thereby, to

assess toll of diderent values when calls are extended from the calling mechanism.

2. In a telephone system, a calling mechanism, means responsive to said mechanism to extend the call, and coin-controlled devices associated with said mechanism, controlled thereby, to assess cash tolls of different values.

3. In a telephone system, a calling mechanism, means responsive to said mechanism'to extend the call, and a plurality of measured service devices associated with said mechanism, controlled thereby, and each controlled by adifierent sized coin and means responsive to said mechanism to select one of nism,, means responsive to said mechanism to extend the call, and coin-controlled devices associated With said mechanism, controlled thereby, to assess cash tolls of different values, each of said devices requiring a different extent of operation of said mechanism to render it operative to assess the toll.

6. In a telephone system, a calling mocha-- nism,-means responsive to said mechanism to extend the call, and a plurality of measure'd service devices associated with said mechanism, controlled thereby, and each controlled by a diiierent sized coin and means responsive to saidmechanism to select one of said devices, each of said devices requiring a diiferent extent of operation of said mechanism to render it operative to assess the. toll.

7. In a telephone system, acalling mechanism, means responsive to said mechanism to extend the call, devices associated with said mechanism, controlled thereby, to assess toll of different values, a telephone associated with said mechanism, and circuits controlled by said devices to render the said telephone inoperative until toll is assessed for the call. 7

8. In a telephone system, a calling mecha: nism, means responsive to said mechanism to extend the call, coin-controlled devices associated With said mechanism, controlled thereby, to assess cash tolls of different values, a telephone associated with said mechanism, and circuits controlled by said devices to render the said telephone inoperative until toll is assessed for the call.

9. In a telephone system, a calling mechanism, means responsive to said mechanism to extend the call, a plurality of measured service devices associated with said mechanism, controlled thereby, and each controlled by a dilierent sized coin and means responsive to said mechanism to select one tended from the calling mechanism, and

means for preventing control of said devices by said mechanism more than once for any called number.

11. In a telephone system, a calling mechanism, means responsive to said mechanism to extend the call, coin-controlled devices associated With said mechanism, controlled thereby, to assess cash tolls of different values, and means for preventing control of said devlces by said mechanism more than once for any called number.

12. In a telephone system, a calling mechanism, means responsive to said mechanism to extend the call, a plurality of measured service devices associated with said mechanism, controlled thereby, and each controlled by a different sized coin andmeans responsive to said mechanism to select one of said devices, and means for prevent'im control of said devicesby said mechanism more than once for any called number.

anism, means responsive to said mechanism to extend'the call, devices associated with said mechanism, controlled thereby, to assess toll of difierent values, and meansilimiting the control of said devices by said mechanism to the operation of the latter for the first digit of any called lniimber.

14. In a telephone system, a calling mechanism, mea s responsive to said mechanism to extend he call, coin-controlled devices associated. with said mechanism, controlled thereby, to; assess cash tolls of different values, and -means limiting the control of said 13. In a telephone system, a calling m'echdevices by said mechanism to the operation of the latter for the first digit of any called number.

1 5. In a telephone system, a calling mechanism, means responsive to said mechanism to extend the call, a plurality of measured service devices associated with said mechanism, controlled thereby, and each controlled by"a different sized coin and means responsive to said mechanism to select one of said devices, and means limiting the control of said devices by said mechanism to the operation of the latter for the first digit of any called number.

to extend the call, and devices associated with said mechanism, controlled thereby, to' assess toll of different values when calls are extended from the calling mechanism, said mechanism comprising'a rotary dial, and means for variably limiting the rotation of said dial. a I

17. In a telephone system, a calling mechanism, means responsive to said mechanism to extend the call, and coin-controlled devices associated with said mechanism, controlled thereby,'to assess cash tolls of different values, said mechanism comprising a rotary dial, and means for variably limiting the rotation of said dial.

18. In a telephone system, a calling mechanism, means responsive to said mechanism to extend the call, and a plurality of measured service devices associated with said mechanism, controlled thereby, and each controlled by -a different sized coin and means responsive to said mechanism to select one of sald devices, said mechan sm comprislng a rotary dial, and means for variably limiting the rotation ofsaid dial.

19. In altelephone system, a calling mech: anism, means responsive to said mechanism to extend the call, andv devices associated with said mechanismpcofn rolled, thereby, to assess toll of diflerent nism having a ratchetivheel the means for controlling; a dog {engaging said;- wheel to than rotation thereo fi;

;2 In a telephone s'ys em, anism,,means responsive to said.,meclrani m to extend the Call, and, ,6 ii1-,atrq11eu, vices associated withysaidimechanism, trolled thereby, to assess. ;'cash ftolls' of ferent values, said-T mechanism having'ga ratchet wheel provided with th'e means for, controllingsaid devices, and adog engaging said wheel to' prevent more .than,on e ro-j tation thereof for eachfjcalled number,

21. In a telephonesystem, a calllng mechanism, means responsiye to said mechanismui to extend the call, and aupluralityof meas ured service devices, associated with said mechanism, controlled -thereby,;and each controlled different sized coin and means responsive to said mechanism to se lect one of said devices, said mechanism having a ratchetwheel provided with the means for controlling said devices, and a dog engaging said wheel to prevent more than one rotation thereof for each called number.

22. In a telephone system, a calling mechanism, means responsive to said mechanism to extend the call, and devices associated with said mechanism, controlled thereby, to assess toll of difl'erent values, each of said cuits controlled by said springs, means for closing said springs by the operation of said mechanism for the first digit of the 'called'" number, and means for opening said springs when the toll is assessed for the call.

23. In a telephone system, a calling mechanism, means responsive to said mechanism to extend the call, and coin-controlled de vices associated with saidmechanism, controlled thereby, to assess cash tolls of different values, each of said devices comprising a set of springs, circuits controlled by said springs, means for closing said springs by the operation of saidinechanism for the first digit of the called number, and means for opening said springs when the toll is assessed for the call. p

, 24. In a telephone system, a calling mechanism, means responsive to said mechanism to extendthe call, and a plurality of meas ured service devices associated. with said mechanism, controlled thereby, and each controlled by a difierent I sized .coin and means responsive to said mechanism to'select one of said" devices, each of said devices comprising a set of springs, circuits con-. trolled by said 'sprin'gs, meansfor cl0sing said springs by the operation of said'mechanism for the first digit of the called number, and means for opening said springs -.when the toll is assessed for the call.

anism, means responsive to said" mechanism s toll of different values, and a line the y said said means. a, Y M 26. In a telephone system, a calling mech- 1 anism, means responsive to said mechanism extend the call, devices associated with d mechanism, "controlled thereby, to asf. 25. In a telephone system, a calling mech- .yvo sidesof which in series are controllable mechanism toI operate and release (to extend the can, coin-controlled devices I ,associated with said mechanism, controlled thereby, to assess cash tolls of different -,[values, and a'line the two sides of which in Z series are controllable by said mechanism tooperate and release said means.

f27. In atelephone system, a calling mech 'anism, means responsive to said mechanism to extend the call, a plurality of measured service devices associated with said mechanism,] controlled thereby, and each controlled bya diiierent sized coin and means responsive to said mechanism to select one of said, devices, and a line the two sides of which in series are controllable by said mechanism to operate and release said means.

28. In a telephone system, lines, a telephone for each line, a calling mechanism for each telephone, means responsive to said mechanism to extend a call from one line to another, devices associated with each mechanism, controlled thereby, to assess toll of difi'erent values when calls are extended from the calling mechanism, and a central source of talking current for supplying current to said telephones.

29. Ina telephone system, lines, a telephone for each line, a calling mechanism for each telephone, means responsive to said mechanism to extend a call from, one line to another, coin-controlled devices associated with each mechanism, controlled thereby, to assess cash-tolls of difi'erent' values, and a central source of talking current for supplying current to said telephones.

30. In a telephone system, lines, a telephone for each line, a calling mechanism for each telephone, means responsive to said mechanism to extend a call from one line to another, a plurality of measured service devices associated with each mechanism, controlled thereby, and each controlled by a difierent sized coin and means responsive to said mechanism to select one of said devices, and a central sourceof talking current for supplying current to said telephone.

31. In a telephone system, a'calling mechanism, means responsive to said mechanism to extend the; call, and devices associated with said mechanism, controlled thereby,

to assess toll of difi'erent values when calls are extended from the calling mechanism,

said means having one motion to find a group oflines, and another motion in a plane at right-angles to the plane of the first motion to find the called line in the selected group. v

32. In a telephone system, a calling mech: anism, means responsive to said mechanism to extend the call, and coin-controlled devices associated with said mechanism, controlled thereby, to assess cash tolls of diflerent values, said means having one motion to find a group of lines, and another motion in a plane at right-angles to the plane of the I first motion to-findthe called line in the secontrolled by a difierent sized coin and means responsive to said mechanism to select one of said devices, said means having one motion to find a group of lines, and another motion in a plane at right-angles to the plane of the first motion to find the called line in the selected group.

34. In a telephone system, a measured service mechanism comprising a plurality of devices each for a diiferent calling rate, each device representing a different first digit of any called number, a digit transmitter, and means responsive to said transmitter for connecting a calling and a called line, said transmitter. adapted to bring one of said devices into operation in accordance with the value of the digit transmitted, whereby all calls for which the same rate of toll is'assessed at said mechanism have the same first digits.

. 35.'In a telephone system, a plurality of measured service devices each for a different rate of toll, a calling mechanism, and means operated by said calling mechanism to selectively control said-measured service devices when calls are extended from the calling mechanism.

36. In a telephone system, a plurality of measured service devices each-for .a different rate of toll, and substation-controlled means for selectively controlling said devices when connection is-extended from the substation and means for-extending connection from said station. 7

' 37. In a telephone system, a calling mechanism, means responsive to said mechanism to, extend the call, and, devices associated with said mechanism mechanically controlled thereby, to assess toll of difierent 39. In a telephone system, a calling mechanism, means responsive to said mechanism to extend a call, and devices associated with said mechanism controlled thereby through the medium of a common means to assess toll of different values.

Signed by me at Chicago, Cook county, Illinois, this 14th day of July, 1910.

BERNARD D. WILLIS.

Witnesses:

' EDWARD D. FALES,

ARTHUR J RAY. 

